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Quality operatic repertoire to inspire young performers
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Operas for Youth  high quality, age appropriate repertoire for young singers About Us Order Information Contact Us Useful Opera and Classical Music Links The Westminster Youth Opera Workshop Our Operas... Click on a picture below for more information The Boy Who Cried "Wolf" Music By Smetana The Princess and the Pea Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan The Princess and the Pea is now available in a newly re-scored version featuring a chamber ensemble accompaniment ! The Emperor's New Clothes Music by Mozart

Four years ago we began a youth opera program with the goal of introducing young people to the exciting world of opera.  We believe that opera has much to offer young performers and that, given the right opportunity and the right repertoire, they invariably come to love its unique blend of music and drama.  Four years of success with scores of young performers have borne out that belief. One major challenge we have had to face however is that of finding appropriate repertoire.  Opera traditionally has been a medium for mature singers and much of the standard operatic repertoire contains musical, vocal, and dramatic demands that are either beyond the reach of the young or, in some cases, inappropriate for their age. To meet this challenge we decided to create a series of new works that were accessible and appropriate for young singers and yet were also challenging and artistically satisfying.  For the plots we chose traditional familiar stories, elaborating on the themes to add fullness and extra characters.  The music for each show was "borrowed" from the works of one great composer and set in a way that mirrors that composer's own operatic style.  This gives each show a cohesiveness and stylistic integrity and also helps students develop a greater depth of understanding and appreciation for these great masters. Our opera program, and the shows that we have created, have been warmly and enthusiastically embraced by students, parents, and the community at large. Now for the first time we are making these works available to schools and other organizations that strive to promote a love of opera and classical music in young people. Please take time to examine our site and look over the works we have to offer.  If you think you might be interested in staging one, or just want more information, please feel free to Contact Us. We are always happy to meet people who share our love of music and opera.   Michael Jacobsen & Danielle Sinclair, Directors The Westminster Conservatory Youth Opera Workshop   A scene from our 2000 production of The Emperor's New Clothes Here is a comment we received from a director who recently staged one of our shows: "We are delighted that Michael Jacobsen's and Danielle Sinclair's brilliant adaptation of 7 of Gilbert and Sullivan's tuneful operettas has provided an opportunity for the Fifth Graders to become acquainted with these ageless classics.  The important concepts of love and family and friendship, so beautifully woven into this version of the Princess and the Pea are particularly age appropriate and timeless." All works and associated graphic images copyright 2002 Michael Jacobsen and Danielle Sinclair.  Use by permission only.